***WITH VIDEO*** Students leaving West Bloomfield High School at the end of the day. Wednesday, January 30, 2013. The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON

No longer can schools practice the "open door" policy of the past, security experts say.

And the Oakland County public school districts that replied to an unscientific, informal survey are taking that seriously.

All are reviewing their school security and emergency action plans in the aftermath of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., in which 20 children and six adults were killed.

Most are working closely with law enforcement to add new security measures or to determine whether the protocols already in place are adequate.

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For example, the Holly school district is looking at the possibility of adding panic buttons, which if pushed would bring immediate police response.

The Madison district is looking at the possibility of renovating a school to create a separate and safer entryway.

Waterford retrofitted locks on classroom doors so they can be locked from the inside.

Yet as security reviews are taking place, an Oakland Press reporter was able to freely walk into an entry door not considered a "main entrance" at two schools in Oakland County last week without being asked for identification.

Many school employees across Oakland County already have taken advantage of a training program offered by Oakland Schools, Oakland County Homeland Security Division and the Oakland Sheriff's Office SWAT team to learn how to prepare for and react in the event of a shooter in their school.

Hundreds more are signed on to take the training this month.

Local police departments are working with the districts in their areas to come up with the best plan and some are offering training.

Cranbrook enhances electronic monitoring

Some private schools also are making security even tighter, such as at the nationally known Cranbrook Education Center in Bloomfield Hills, which has four schools, an art academy, an art museum and a science institute.

Security Director Thomas Sias said: "We have taken steps to enhance our electronic ability to monitor activity on campus. We are continuously addressing security issues and where we can make improvements.

Cranbrook is also monitored by the Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Safety, which has input into the training and responds to incidents on campus.

The Bloomfield Hills department also is working with the Bloomfield Hills school district, which plans to hire a security chief this year.

None of the plans provided by schools responding to the survey includes allowing employees to bring concealed weapons to school to be ready to react in the event of a shooting situation.

However, at least one -- Oxford district -- now has armed retired police officers for security at the high school, in addition to other sophisticated security measures.

There also have been rumors that at a few schools at least some employees are unofficially allowed to bring a concealed gun to school.

Not surprisingly in the environment created by the shootings, a bill has been introduced to the Michigan Legislature to allow teachers, administrators and employees to carry concealed pistols in school and on school property under certain circumstances, with state Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, listed as one of the sponsors.

Sias said: "In Switzerland, every home must have a gun and it has the lowest crime rate in the world," he said, adding that Kinnesaw, Ga., has a law that was passed 20 years ago requiring every home to have a gun, which he said successfully reduced crime.

Listed below are the steps being taken by the Oakland County public school districts that answered the informal survey:

Avondale

"We had extra security personnel throughout the district for a week after the December tragedy but (after a review) otherwise determined that the safety measures we had in place prior to Sandy Hook are still sufficient," said school Superintendent George Heitsch.

Berkley

"For a number of years we have had (a) buzz-in system at all our schools with video feeds," said Jessica Stilger, Berkley district spokeswoman. "We will be sending staff to the active shooter training and plan to share the training with all members of crisis teams districtwide."

Birmingham

Some changes went into effect in security protocols in the Birmingham district this week.

The district is locking all doors to the buildings and will hire security staff members until more permanent plans can be put in to place. Superintendent Daniel Nerad will give a more in-depth report to the board on security plans Tuesday. Technology will play an important role in the future of the district's security plans, Nerad said.

"This is all done in memory of the victims and the heroes of Sandy Hook, and it's created an opportunity to reflect on our practices as a public," he said.

Ferndale

The Ferndale district's administration team worked closely with Ferndale Police Chief Tim Collins to develop a program that provides administrators with a review of law enforcement protocol, effective school-level emergency response, and prevention of school violence, said Stephanie Hall, district spokeswoman.

Hazel Park

"We have increased the frequency of lockdown drills," said Hazel Park Superintendent James Meisinger. "We make sure all doors except main entrances are locked. We try to keep an adult associated with the school overseeing main doors as much as possible."

Holly

Superintendent Kent Barnes said the district will continue practicing lock downs for emergencies and keeping all but main entry doors locked once students are in for the day. Barnes is looking at possibly installing a system that would allow entry only by the push of a buzzer by an employee to unlock the front door; panic buttons connected to the police station; and hiring a part-time police officer to rotate unscheduled visits to each building.

Madison

"We believe (a secure building plan) begins with the design of the building and then proper training for school staff regarding emergency procedures," said Madison Superintendent Randy Speck. He is proposing two elementaries be combined into a renovated building that would provide more security. "Our plan would have guests enter an area so we can identify them, give them a visitors pass and then allow them to enter the building if they are a part of an activity."

Oxford

Since a 2009 bond issue, all schools have had security systems in place, including observation cameras and radios that connect directly to the Oakland County Sheriff's office; upgraded phone system; and improved bus and parent drop-off procedure, said Linda Lewis, Oxford spokeswoman. New strategies include installation of card readers for staff entrance in every building; armed retired police officers for security at the high school; and the possibility of additional security with county deputies.

Pontiac

"The Pontiac School District has been a very secure district long before most of the episodes of school violence took place," said Michael A. Kazyak, new security director for Pontiac school. "All of the schools are in a perimeter lockdown while the students are in school. All visitors must ring a bell at the front entrance and then they are allowed in -- if there is a valid reason.

"The teachers are taught to question visitors that they do not recognize." Staff members greet the youths as they enter and watch them as they leave the building.

"The middle school and the high school have Police Authority Officers in the buildings," Kazyak said.

Rochester

Debra Hartman, spokeswoman for Rochester school district, said: "We have changed our protocols." While high schools will continue with Burr Security covering entries, the doors of all other schools are now locked and either manned by employees or visitors have to call into the main office to be let in. This will continue until an audio-video door entry system monitored by the office secretaries is approved and implemented.

The district also is expanding its keyless entry system to provide limited access to some personnel, and will continue working with Rochester police and the Sheriff Office.

Southfield

A few months before the Sandy Hook tragedy, the Southfield district had an outside agency come in and provide crisis management training for administrators during a two-day seminar, said Jacqueline Robinson, school spokeswoman.

"After the crisis, we are now working with the Southfield Police Department to increase police presence around the schools in the city of Southfield. This increase will last for the remainder of the school year.

West Bloomfield

West Bloomfield Superintendent Gerald Hill said the district is working with local police and fire departments and emergency responders in West Bloomfield, Keego Harbor, and Orchard Lake to create the best plan. Hill is hoping the state Legislature and a proposed sinking fund millage will provide additional resources to cover the cost of security measures. Emergency Management Coordinator Neil Currie, who is director of technology, said emergency packs are being provided at all schools.

West Bloomfield principal Tom Shelton said: "The (county training) did a great job of giving us appropriate responses to unthinkable situations such as the one that occurred in Sandy Hook."

Walled Lake

Superintendent Ken Gutman said the district is continuing to lock the exterior doors at all schools; hiring hall monitors and/or paraeducators to monitor the front doors of all schools; and possibly hiring additional enforcement officials to provide security. The district also plans to install video intercom systems at all school entrances with sinking fund monies for 2013-2014.

Waterford

The Waterford district has interior and exterior surveillance cameras on all school campuses, in which the Waterford police has access; swipe card access in all buildings; digital bus cameras; alarm upgrades; and an emergency notification system. All main entrances are more secure and classroom doors can be locked from the inside.